and gay couples, the naming
process is a life changing event in
terms of family development. In
naming relationships we define
ourselves as we choose. We educate
those around us. We confront
homophobia head-on.
Give voice to your role
After giving voice and visibility to
our family, I have become more
assertive and Sharon has
encouraged me to take on
additional parental roles. For
example, when Sharon's exhusband wanted to discuss
custody arrangements, Sharon
informed both him and the
children that I was to be
included in those discussions.
We also gave the children's
school my name and work number
with instructions to call me, in
addition to their father, regarding
any emergencies should Sharon
be unavailable.
Consistent with naming ourselves
as family, we now
participate in all of the things
traditional families take part in.
This includes functions at the
children's school as well as at our
local synagogue. We created our
own holiday rituals that are
inclusive of my faith tradition,
which is different from Sharon's
faith tradition. We shared these
rituals with other families as a
(Continued on Page 23)
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Hudson Valley Parent
21
children's workshop of the catskills
daycare center
childcare center
day care
child care
st. john's lutheran church christian junior kindergarten
wimpfheimer & infant toddler center
wimpfheimer and infant toddler center
